December 2011

To celebrate the holidays, Ithaca day hab hosted a sing-along on December 14. A number of consumers accompanied staff member Steve O’Mara on holiday favorites while other consumers and employees sang along.

The “Holiday Sing” featured newly purchased musical equipment – keyboard, microphones, amplifier, bench, and video camera – courtesy of a grant from the Legacy Foundation.

“These gatherings broaden our coverage of music appreciation for consumers of all backgrounds and abilities,” said Steve. “Music develops all the senses, and it is especially gratifying to see consumers who are almost non-verbal pick up a microphone in an effort to participate.”

The new equipment has become a focal point at day hab, according to Steve: “Consumers are attracted to it – they can see, touch, hear it. It makes for a more complete musical experience.”

August 2011

A number of Unity House employees gathered at the Case Mansion in Auburn to share fond memories of working there. It is the end of an era – this fall, Unity House will move to a new facility on Grant Avenue, vacating its original home. The agency got its start at 108 South Street in 1977, and has maintained living quarters for consumers with mental health issues ever since. The staff got together on a beautiful summer day and shared snacks and stories of working at the fabled Case Mansion.

The First Presbyterian Church owns the large house, and has formed an ad hoc committee to discuss plans for the facility. The mansion is on the market, and hopes are high that an outside buyer will purchase and rehabilitate the property.

April 2011

Friends and employees of Unity House were treated to a special performance on April 15. Direct care provider Steve O’Mara conceived of the idea of a “Spring Sing” as a way for consumers to express themselves through music. Steve is a former opera singer who has performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and the Royal Opera in London, among others.

Starting with five, after three months of preparation and increasing interest, 15 Ithaca consumers were given the spotlight on a beautiful makeshift stage, complete with microphone, red velvet curtains and musical accompaniment. Talent ranged from singing, guitar and keyboard playing, and joke telling. Performing to a full house, the consumers took the stage one by one to show off their skills. They brought down the house!

Watch selected clips from the video here.



March 2011

Two Unity House foursomes participated in the 18th annual United Way of Cayuga County miniature golf tournament on March 23. Held at the Auburn Holiday Inn each year, about 400 golfers turn out to support this fundraiser for the United Way. For-profit companies are teamed with the non-profit organizations that receive funding from the United Way. Together, they sponsor and staff one of 19 golf holes, provide free giveaways as golfers play through, and have special prizes for holes-in-one. Throughout the afternoon and evening, door prizes are given away, DJ music plays, and there are prizes for best team name, lowest score, and most creative golf hole.

March 2011

GRACE House volunteers helped out with the second annual Stone Soup event on March 20. The fundraiser took place at Auburn Public Theatre and raised money for local food pantries. Based on the story of a starving soldier who started making soup with a stone but ended up getting a whole village to contribute meat and vegetables for a hearty stew, the event raises hunger awareness and feeds the needy. GRACE House volunteers assisted with set up, serving soup, selling handmade items, and other jobs as needed.

December 2010
Pet-Friendly Visit


Just in time for the holidays, several animals visited Ithaca Day Hab. Consumers and staff enjoyed greeting a number of dogs and even a llama named Deacon Blue!

Staff at day hab organized the visits through Cornell Companions. According to their website, Cornell Companions is a pet visitation program sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Cornell Companions is dedicated to the development of the human-animal bond. Volunteers and their pets visit people with disabilities and nursing home and hospital patients, with the belief that animals enhance the lives of all people. Volunteers consist of Cornell students, faculty and staff, and individuals from the Ithaca area community.

“Our consumers loved it!” said Assistant Program Manager Deb Martin, who organized the visit. “Animals are beneficial and therapeutic to our consumers. Since many of our consumers live in pet-free group homes, opportunities to interact with animals are limited. All were engaged and saying positive things to staff and the dogs.”

November 2010
Gratitude Dinner


In celebration of all the things we have to be thankful for, Unity House’s Mental Health Drop-In Center will be hosting a free Gratitude Dinner the night before Thanksgiving:

Wednesday, November 24
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Calvary Food Pantry
90 Franklin Street, behind Byrne Dairy gas station

Free and open to anyone who has visited the Center at any time in the past, and their families. Please register in advance, either in person, email, or call 315-252-1039, so we know how much food to prepare.

The Drop-In Center is a safe, comfortable, nurturing spot run by people receiving mental health services for people with mental health issues. The Center is open:

Wednesdays 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Gratitude Dinner is sponsored by Unity House and Calvary Food Pantry with support from Auburn Rotary.

September 2010
Fall Beautification Days


Two Unity House independent living alternative (IRA) homes received extensive garden rehabilitations this fall. Unity House owns dozens of properties spread over six counties, and it is difficult to maintain gardens at all sites. Yet the beauty and tranquility of a lovely garden is therapeutic for our consumers.

Collaborative beautification days took place at the Danby IRA on September 24, and at the New Life IRA in Auburn on October 1. Each site welcomed about 12 staff volunteers who came out to help clear and replant a designated garden area – Unity House’s maintenance crew had prepped each plot ahead of time. Donations of tools, plants, weed barrier, bulbs, mulch and more were graciously made by Home Depot and Lowe’s in Auburn, and Home Depot in Ithaca. Staff also contributed perennials and shrubs from their own gardens.

So many hands yielded amazing results. Within a few hours, the gardens were transformed, and the consumers and staff at each house have committed to help maintain them during the growing season.

August 8, 2010
Auburn’s Great Race

For the third year in a row, Unity House sponsored a team for Auburn’s Great Race, which took place at Emerson Park. This year’s team was comprised of QA Specialist Molly Malone (5K runner), Day Hab Assistant Director Jessica Janssen (bicycle), and Director of Support Services Amber Amidon and her husband Rich (canoe). The group participated in the short course, coming in 25th out of 38 teams in the mixed age division, with a final overall of 291 out of 413. They beat last year’s record, completing the course in 1:48:39, and then stayed to enjoy the lakeside after-party.

“We’re hoping this will become a Unity House tradition,” said Molly. “It’s been a lot of fun!”

August 6, 2010
Annual Staff Appreciation Picnic

More than 100 Unity House employees gathered at Myers Point Park in Lansing to celebrate another good year with the agency. The organizing committee planned a great outdoor event, including a catered picnic, games, karaoke, and a “Unity House Has Talent” show. Many staff were recognized for milestone anniversaries with the agency.

Special thanks to the planning committee for making the annual picnic possible: Amy Carioggia, Lisa Frank, Thia Harriett, Pattie Park, Renee Post, Candi Saxman, Michelle Stage, Doreen Wagner, and Judy Weimer

July 17, 2010
Finger Lakes Wine Festival

Unity House sent 28 volunteers to the Watkins Glen International Raceway on Saturday, July 17 to help with the 17th annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival. More than 90 wineries from across the Empire State were present. Volunteers worked a 4-hour shift, then got to enjoy the fest, receiving free staff t-shirts, tasting wines, enjoying live music and vendor booths, and some even took pace car rides on the racetrack. The Glen rewarded Unity House by donating nearly $700 to the agency.

June 25, 2010
Electronics Recycling Day


As part of its strategic plan implementation, Unity House’s Technology and Infrastructure Committees recently co-sponsored an agency-wide technology e-cycling event. Staff were asked to round up old, broken, unused electronic equipment, cords, toner, etc. for this green initiative.

“We didn’t have any idea what to expect,” said Technology Committee member Mary Fishlock. “The event was very successful – we were shocked by how much stuff was delivered on collection day.”

Hard drives have been removed and cleaned, and the items will now be “responsibly recycled” through Regional Recycle Computer and Recovery of Victor, NY. The company will provide packing boxes, which will be loaded up and taken to the plant near Rochester for disassembly and recycling.

Equipment Received

Towers 10
Printers 10
Monitors 21
Keyboards 20
Scanners 2
VCR 1
TV 1
Laptop 1
Fax machines 4
Stereo 1
Microwave oven 1
Tape recorders
Cell phones
Power cords
Telephone cords
Ink and toner cartridges

June 12, 2010
CASE MANSION OPEN HOUSE ON FOUNDER’S DAY


Auburn celebrates local inventor Theodore Case and being “The Birthplace of Talking Movies” at its second annual Founder’s Day event on Saturday, June 12. In 1977, Unity House got its start in the Case Mansion at 108 South Street, and still maintains a community residence for adults with disabilities within its walls. In partnership with the City of Auburn and the Auburn Downtown BID, Unity House will host an open house at the Case Mansion from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on June 12. All are welcome to walk through the public spaces and grounds of this beautiful historic structure. Click HERE to learn more about the Case Mansion and Ted Case’s groundbreaking work in putting sound on film.


May 11, 2010
A NIGHT ON BROADWAY


On April 15, Unity House consumers, staff, family, and friends gathered at the Springside Inn in Auburn for a gala dinner dance. This Unity House tradition was organized by Program Managers Barb Gregg and Tammie Miner to “applaud and recognize the consumers for the beautiful people they truly are,” said Barb.

“Some of our consumers mentioned that they had never ridden in a limousine and most had never had an occasion to really dress up in formal attire or attend anything like a prom, so the idea for a fancy dinner and dance developed,” explains Barb. “The folks at the Springside Inn worked with us to arrange a wonderful dinner at a cost that was affordable. We decided on a Broadway theme since the Springside was hosting a Broadway series which fit right in with our vision of a black tie event complete with ‘celebrities.’ The red carpet was laid, each person’s name was placed on a star, and gold, silver and black balloons were hung about the room. We even arranged to have our own ‘paparazzi’ take pictures as guests arrived in limos we rented for them!”

About 30 consumers attended, many accompanied by family and friends. A number of Unity House staff joined in the festivities as well, for a total of more than 60 guests. Limos transported consumers from their homes to the dinner, and several Auburn businesses assisted with evening wear, beauty services, flowers, and music. Attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner while a slide show of activities from the past year ran in the background.

“There were lots of oohs and ahhs, smiles, laughter and dancing,” said Barb. “It truly was the best special event for residential consumers that we’ve ever had.”

Special thanks to these people and local businesses that supported the gala dinner dance:

Alliance Church thrift store (evening wear)
Hairlooms (hair and beauty services)
J & J Limousine (transportation)
Jim Van Arsdale (music)
Peter Brooks Beauty School (haircuts)
Springside Inn
Theresa Chapman (corsages and boutonnieres)
Tutor Club of Cayuga Community College (evening wear)
Wayne Fuller (music)


April 20, 2010
UNITY HOUSE MOVES INTO NEW ITHACA SPACE

Public invited to ribbon-cutting celebration at Catherwood Road facility

Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. announces the grand opening of its new facility in Lansing Village Place, 15 Catherwood Road, Ithaca. Elizabeth Werner, executive director of Unity House, cordially invites the Ithaca community to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to celebrate the agency’s move. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 pm on Tuesday, May 11; no reservations are necessary.

“This advantageous site will offer easy accessibility to multiple venues of interest to our consumers – the YMCA, restaurants, Pyramid Mall, and more,” said Werner. “Our new location features plenty of free parking, beautiful office suites, is on the public bus line, and best of all, provides better service to our consumers. Significant renovations have taken place, we are all moved in, and we invite the community to celebrate with us.”

The move to Catherwood Road offers tremendous opportunity for creative expansion of Unity House’s Ithaca-based programs. The agency’s day habilitation program serves nearly 45 adults with disabilities a day, and these new facilities offer space that is five times larger than the former downtown facility.

“The new day habilitation site at Catherwood Road provides much-needed additional space,” said Program Director Darlene Podolak. “There is now room to work together in small groups or find a quiet place to enjoy a book. The individuals who receive our services have increased opportunity to develop and apply their skills in an environment that can accommodate everyone’s needs and interests. The space is beautiful and better represents to the consumers the value that they and their contributions have in the agency.”


April 6, 2010
MUSIC MAESTROS

Consumer Guitar Concert in Ithaca

Unity House offered guitar lessons to its Ithaca consumers this spring through the Tompkins County Office for the Aging College of Lifelong Learning program. Assistant Director of Residential Services Louis Pelino taught ten participants in the 6-week course. The group met for an hour every Tuesday on Court Street.

“This is the third year I’ve run the course,” said Louis. “Guitar is an extremely popular instrument that many people want to learn how to play, and the class has always had a good turnout. Most of the participants are proud guitar owners and musical enthusiasts. We learned about the basics: tuning, simple chords, singing, and having a good time.”

The idea for a culminating concert came from one of the class participants who was eager to show off the group’s talent. The class chose songs, arranged a set list together, and performed a 4-song set at Unity House’s new day hab space on Catherwood Road.


March 25, 2010
METRO MATTRESS DONATES BEDS FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY RESIDENTS


In response to a grant application, Metro Mattress of Syracuse has awarded Unity House two twin bed sets for its consumers. The sleep sets, part of the “50 Beds in 50 Days” promotion sponsored by Metro Mattress this spring, were delivered to Unity House apartments in Dryden and Ithaca, two of seven independent living sites run by the agency in Tompkins County. Unity House cares for approximately 65 adults with disabilities in the Ithaca area. These much-needed beds included a mattress, box spring, and steel frame.



February 25, 2010
THE BIG DIG



Consumers and staff at Auburn day hab dig out after the big snow storm in February!